HCA Health Inc vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? HCA Health Inc trades at $450.18 (market cap $96.35B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $317.79 (market cap $71.20B). The key difference: HCA Health Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.7%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold HCA Health Inc for 76 Days and Norfolk Southern Corporation for 33 Days on average.
| HCA | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $96.35B | $71.20B |
Volume | 1,079,453 | 555,248 |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $545.13 | $352.98 |
52-Week Low | $361.32 | $278.19 |
Typical Hold Time | 76 Days | 33 Days |
Enterprise Value | $146.88B | $86.75B |
Dividend Yield | 0.7% | 1.7% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
HCA Healthcare trades at $451.09, up 2.71% with strong technical momentum and bullish analyst sentiment. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q4 2025 and Q1-Q2 2026 exceeding expectations, supported by robust revenue growth from $70.6B in 2024 to $75.6B in 2025. Valuation metrics remain attractive with P/E of 14.92 and P/S of 1.31, while technical indicators signal bullish momentum above key support levels.
The outlook remains positive with 63% analyst buy ratings and $461.12 consensus target, though legal investigations and high debt levels pose risks. Revenue growth and operational efficiency provide upside potential, but investors should monitor regulatory developments and debt management closely given the 80.9% debt-to-asset ratio in 2025.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $317.79, up 1.47% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company has beaten earnings estimates for the last three quarters, with Q3 2026 results expected on October 22, 2026. Fundamentals show strong profitability with a 21.02% net income margin and 16.97% ROE, though revenue growth is modest. The proposed merger with Union Pacific is a key development, gaining regulatory and customer support.
The outlook is positive, supported by earnings momentum and merger potential, offering upside to the $361.86 consensus price target. Risks include merger approval uncertainty, fuel cost pressures noted in September 2026, and a high P/E ratio of 27.05. Institutional interest remains strong, with recent investments from firms like Bank of America.
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HCA Healthcare is a Nashville-based healthcare provider organization operating the largest collection of acute-care hospitals in the U.S. As of December 2021, the firm owned and operated 182 hospitals, 125 freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and a broad network of physician offices, urgent care clinics, and freestanding emergency rooms across nearly 20 states and a small foothold in England.
Read more on HCA →Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major North American railroad company operating one of the largest freight rail networks in the eastern United States. The company transports a diverse range of commodities, including coal, intermodal containers, and various industrial products. NSC is a critical link in the nation's supply chain, providing efficient, long-haul transportation services to and from ports and industrial centers.
Read more on NSC →